PARLIAMENTARY

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume IV, Issue 1138, 5 November 1904, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY

By Telegraph Press Asanciation,

Wslunqton. this day, LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

Ykstkrday Tub Council mot at 2.30. THE MINING ACT AMENDMENT BILL, It was decided to agrco to the amendment brought in by Governor's message in the Mining Act Amendment Bill, the purport of which is that compensation for claims in the tnattor of sotting apart water courses for tho discharge of tailings shall only be made under section 109 of the Act of 1898, THE EDUCATION BILL,

The Attorney-Goneral moved tho saoond roading oftho Education Bill, which he explained would have the effect of increasing tho capitation and raising the salaries of teachers in tho country schools.

Tho second reading \m cmiod on tho voices, and the Dill passed its final stages with verbal amendments. PUBLIC IVOUKB ACT

The Public Works Act Amondmoit Bill in oomi»iUoo, elkuso 10 (which provides that tbo Government may, by Order-in-Council, consent to tho stopping of roads along a river on boirg satisfied that tho road h»s becomo unfit for general uso, and that another roitd has been provided in its place, provided that tbo closing of such road shall not prejudice tho right of the - gublio to access to the river) was rejected ' by 17 to 10. A number of verbal amendments having boon made tho Bill was roportod. Tho third rea ling ami discussion was interrupted by the 5 o'clock adjournment.

Tho Council mimed at 7 30 Tho Public Works Bill, and Shops and Offices Bill passed tlioir final stages, TO-DAY'S PROCEEDINGS

Tho Council met at 11 a.m. After a debate lasting tho wholo morning the second roadiug of tho High Commissioner's Bill was oarried by 23 to 4. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES YE?TKRDAV The Houso met at 2.30. lAKE WAKATIPU FERRY After considerable further debate on the Lnko Wakatlpu ferry service an amendmont by Mr. Dnthio to add.a recommendation to the Government that all cases in which it became nocessary for the Government to tako over a private business it shall be investigated by nn independent and competent assessor, and that iu rospcct to tho Wakatipn service that the course should still bo taken was lost by 44 to 15, and tho raport of tho Oommittoo was laid on the table. THE WAITOMO COUNTY BILL Tho Waitorao County Bill was brough' down by tho Governor's tucssago and read a first time. MIDWIFES BILL Tho amendments in the Midwifes Uil' wore brought down by Governor's messageThey allowed another your in which midwives now practicing may bo registered, and also empowered the Governor to mako regulations respecting tho nso of drugs by midwives, and defining what shall bo doeuied to bo malpractices by midwives, Tho amendment was agreed to, NATIVE LAND RATING BILL Tho amendments made by tho Legislative Council iu tho Nativo Land Rating Bill wero disagreed with. COMMERCE COMMITTEES REPORT Tho Extension of CommorceOommitteo reported that it could not recommend an increaso of duty on imported woolion material. Tho Committee alsorecommoiided that further investigation into tho state of the tobacco industry bo made next eesiion. LAND FOR SETTLEMENT In moving tho second reading of tho Land for SeHlomont Act Amendment Bill, Mr. Soddon pointed out that lit present itsomotiuios happened that when tho owner of an estate which tho Government sought to acquire had taken out his portion, the remainder was found to be absolutely valueless. This was par.ietilarly the case in rcspoot to mixed hilly and swampy land. When tho ownor had picked out all the high land tho remainder was absolutely useless for oloso settlement. In suoh cases the Government under this Bill would havo power to discontinue pro* ceodings,

Mr. Massey contended that the principlo of the Bill was not sound, and lie urged that it shonld hnvo been brought dowis earlier in tho session, so that it could havo been carefully scrutinised, He went on to urge that when an owner was given notice that his land was to bo aoquired, ho ceased operations, and yot by the Bill tho Government could discontinue proceedings and leavo the ownor a groat deal out of pocket. It was a sort of" Heads I win and taih von loso" arrangement on tho part of the Government. The matter should ho left to the Compensation Court, whatever price it fixed, and it was unjust that tho Governmont should be given power to withdraw, if it considered, that the prico fixoil was too high, If that waß done tho ownor should have tho right to refnse if ho considered the price too low.

Tho dobato was interrupted by tho 5,30 adjournment, Tho House resumed at 7,30, Tho Lands for Settlement Amendmont Bill was read a second time. rUBLIC WOIiKS ESTIMATES Tho Houho tlion wont into Committoo of Supply for the consideration of the Public Warks Estimates,

After tho telegraph oflico had closod the Public Works Estimate woro further considered and passed without amond ment 1 •

At 2,55 tho Houso rose until 2.80 p.m.